Cultural Anthropology Concentration

Undergraduate Advisors:

Cultural Anthropologists seek to understand both the cultural and individual bases for behavior; and how political, economic, and social factors affect both the individuals and various groups. Although statistical and other quantitative methods are used, much of Cultural Anthropology is qualitative-descriptive.

Classical anthropological fieldwork requires prolonged residence (of one or more years) with a particular group in order to understand their way of life. Until World War II, Cultural Anthropology focused especially on non-Western cultures, including Native American Indians, gaining a unique perspective on human life and behavior. More recently this perspective and field work method have been applied as well to Western culture.

People with anthropological training are actively employed in many fields in which their anthropological training and cross-cultural perspectives are valuable. Some of the fields are: investment banking; international and domestic merchandising; health care; personnel work; government; advertising; broadcasting; law; social work; and many areas of business.

There are a wide range of elective courses open to those interested primarily in Cultural Anthropology, and the student's program can often be designed to fit particular concerns or interests.

Students are eligible to declare an anthropology major once they successfully complete the following core courses: Anth 201 and 301, plus one of the following: Anth 210 or 215 or 247.